Top 5 Things You Would Do As A First Time Visitor (Chicago: for sale, rent)

[movin2Reston]

Going to Chicago for the first time in mid May and interested in feedback on the best tourist attractions and must see places.

• Chicago Riverwalk

• Millennium Park

• Art Institute of Chicago

• 360 Observation Deck

Also, are there any art parks? Going to be staying in boystown.

[Master Jay]

movin2Reston, I'm not a resident of Chicago, but rather a frequent explorer since I'm less than 90 miles north (Milwaukee, WI). One idea is to go find parking along the lakefront on the north side of Chicago (that is to say,east of where you will be staying) and rent a bicycle if that is possible/interest of yours. Bike down the lakefront and you will end up at another touristy place, Navy Pier. Along with Millenium Park (and Maggie Daley Park directly to the east), you could certainly make a day trip of that alone! To save on costs and time frames, I always bring my own bicycle which I bring down in my vehicle. There are so many wonderful neighborhoods and bicycling/walking is the best way to become acquainted to them. Also, Lincoln Park has the free Lincoln park Zoo, which believe it or not is free entrance. Chinatown on the south side of Chicago, also is very touristy. Certainly no shortage of shops and restaurants there! Anything else you're looking to do? Will children be with you?- Master Jay in Milwaukee

[nana053]

There are some lesser known outdoor art pieces in various places around the city. However, it will depend on how far you want to wander from the touristy places. Grant Park and Millenium Park have quite a few pieces of outdoor art.

https://www.chicagoparksfoundation.o...t-in-the-parks

[sfcambridge]

I would add the architectural society river cruise to your list, as one of the top 5 (not to be missed).

My favorite art in the park find is at the South end of Grant Park - the headless torsos.

[edsg25]

Originally Posted by Master Jay

movin2Reston, I'm not a resident of Chicago, but rather a frequent explorer since I'm less than 90 miles north (Milwaukee, WI). One idea is to go find parking along the lakefront on the north side of Chicago (that is to say,east of where you will be staying) and rent a bicycle if that is possible/interest of yours. Bike down the lakefront and you will end up at another touristy place, Navy Pier. Along with Millenium Park (and Maggie Daley Park directly to the east), you could certainly make a day trip of that alone! To save on costs and time frames, I always bring my own bicycle which I bring down in my vehicle. There are so many wonderful neighborhoods and bicycling/walking is the best way to become acquainted to them. Also, Lincoln Park has the free Lincoln park Zoo, which believe it or not is free entrance. Chinatown on the south side of Chicago, also is very touristy. Certainly no shortage of shops and restaurants there! Anything else you're looking to do? Will children be with you?- Master Jay in Milwaukee

Hey, movin2Reston.....Jay may not be a Chicagoan, but he is definitely an honorary Chicagoan.

Also....I noticed you didn't have the Museum Campus on your list.....it's on the lakefront, really the southern extension of Grant Park (Millennium Park and the AI, both to the north and places you were interested in, are also part of Grant Park)

I should add a bit further down the (south) lakefront, not part of the downtown area, is the Museum of Science and Industry in Hyde Park (home of the Univ of Chgo). MSI is one of the finest of its type in the nation (world) and is a real tourist attraction. You can reach it by rail from Grant Park. If you go, figure you will need a lot of time if you really want to see its fine offerings.

Museum Campus has three outstanding institutions: Field Museum (natural history), Shed Aquarium, Adler Planetarium. All in close proximity in a drop dead view location on the lakefront (particularly Adler with a view of the skyline; this one is your money shot, a classic. No reason why you can't include the Museum Campus with Millennium Pk/AI.....quite walkable and 1/2 between is Buckingham Fountain.

[Master Jay]

edsg25, THANK YOU for the honorary nomination! That makes me proud! ... In essence, movin2Reston, from what you can see so far from the comments, I guess you could plan almost a whole WEEK of activities just from these attractions along the lakefront ALONE! They are all great recommendations. You can review them on a google search and rank them in terms of which would be more satisfying... I don't believe I saw in your original post, but how long will you be visiting? I saw you will be staying in Boystown. I think you will enjoy the energy and friendliness of this area! As I mentioned, there are some other great neighborhoods in the vicinity. If you're into baseball, the Chicago Cubs' stadium is very closeby! Let us know what else you're looking to do. nana053, sfcambridge, and edsg25 have offered some artistic ideas that sound like they may be right up your alley! Take care, Master Jay in Milwaukee

[movin2Reston]

Up for any and all suggestions.

No kids.

Originally Posted by Master Jay

movin2Reston, I'm not a resident of Chicago, but rather a frequent explorer since I'm less than 90 miles north (Milwaukee, WI). One idea is to go find parking along the lakefront on the north side of Chicago (that is to say,east of where you will be staying) and rent a bicycle if that is possible/interest of yours. Bike down the lakefront and you will end up at another touristy place, Navy Pier. Along with Millenium Park (and Maggie Daley Park directly to the east), you could certainly make a day trip of that alone! To save on costs and time frames, I always bring my own bicycle which I bring down in my vehicle. There are so many wonderful neighborhoods and bicycling/walking is the best way to become acquainted to them. Also, Lincoln Park has the free Lincoln park Zoo, which believe it or not is free entrance. Chinatown on the south side of Chicago, also is very touristy. Certainly no shortage of shops and restaurants there! Anything else you're looking to do? Will children be with you?- Master Jay in Milwaukee

[movin2Reston]

Is there actual paintings there for sale?

Yes to the architectural society river cruise.

Originally Posted by sfcambridge

I would add the architectural society river cruise to your list, as one of the top 5 (not to be missed).

My favorite art in the park find is at the South end of Grant Park - the headless torsos.

[movin2Reston]

Thanks, but not into baseball.

Looking to be there for 4 nights, staying at City Suites Hotel.

Any other specific museums or architectural buildings of interest?

Originally Posted by Master Jay

edsg25, THANK YOU for the honorary nomination! That makes me proud! ... In essence, movin2Reston, from what you can see so far from the comments, I guess you could plan almost a whole WEEK of activities just from these attractions along the lakefront ALONE! They are all great recommendations. You can review them on a google search and rank them in terms of which would be more satisfying... I don't believe I saw in your original post, but how long will you be visiting? I saw you will be staying in Boystown. I think you will enjoy the energy and friendliness of this area! As I mentioned, there are some other great neighborhoods in the vicinity. If you're into baseball, the Chicago Cubs' stadium is very closeby! Let us know what else you're looking to do. nana053, sfcambridge, and edsg25 have offered some artistic ideas that sound like they may be right up your alley! Take care, Master Jay in Milwaukee

[Master Jay]

movin2Reston, going northwest-bound on Clark Street (which runs through Boystown), I'd say just shy of 3 miles is the Swedish American Museum (east side of the street, just past Foster Avenue). It has a section that is also the history of Chicago, in general, as well, not just Swedish. The neighborhood is called Andersonville, and was the Swedish hub of the city. But it also includes some LGBT establishments as well, like Boystown. The last time I was in Andersonville, I actually ate at a Mexican restaurant. And believe me, if you like Mexican food, Chicago has no shortage of Mexican restaurants. If you are seeking Mexican culture, go west of the Chinatown neighborhood on the south side that I mentioned earlier. The Pilsen neighborhood, starting on W. 18th Street and S. Halsted (a couple miles west of Chinatown) is an area where artists began to set up shop in the last decade, and as you go further west it becomes very Mexican-themed. Beautiful murals and beautiful Mexican food smells! Trust me, if I could move to Chicago, I would!- Master Jay in Milwaukee